NH officials freeze assets of Merrimack contractor, alleging he sold interests in fake company
MERRIMACK, N.H. —
A Merrimack contractor has been hit with a temporary restraining order freezing his assets after state investigators allege he defrauded investors by selling interests in a company and an investment property that authorities say did not exist, News 9 Investigates was first to report on Tuesday morning.
Eric Forcier, the director of the Bureau of Securities, said the contractor, Antonio Silva, of Merrimack, is a repeat offender.
“We would encourage anybody to give us a call. Anybody who’s provided money to Mr. Silva, we’d like to hear from you – particularly if you haven’t received your money back,” said Forcier.
The bureau alleges that Silva committed fraud by getting a New Hampshire resident to invest in a fake company and enter a contract to invest in a North Carolina property that didn’t exist. Court documents reviewed by News 9 Investigates show the two alleged investments totaled $35,000.
“These are allegations at this time, and Mr. Silva has a right to a hearing, both in our administrative case as well as the case in Superior Court. So right now they’re allegations that are pending. He’s been served. And he has an opportunity to present his evidence and his case if he chooses,” said Forcier.
The temporary restraining order bars Silva from contacting the alleged victim and prohibits him from spending money beyond ordinary living expenses.
A Nashua woman who invested with Silva said she wants her money back.
“He asked me if I wanted to invest in his company with him,” said Rae Pfeiffer. “And I said, ‘Yeah, sure,’ because it all seemed successful.”
She said that when she got no returns, statements or information on her investments from Silva she contacted the Bureau of Securities in the Secretary of State’s Office.
“It’s time for the truth to have its way,” she said.
According to Forcier, the alleged actions were in violation of a previously signed consent order from March 2023, where Silva agreed to cease and desist from selling securities after the Bureau alleged he committed fraud in connection with the sale of a partnership interest in a business he didn’t own.
Forcier said anyone who has had similar dealings with Silva should come forward.
“Anybody that’s provided money to Mr. Silva, we’d like to hear from you, particularly if you have not received your money back,” he said.
Silva was also arrested late last year and charged with theft by deception for allegedly renting a home he didn’t own. A hearing on that case is scheduled for September.
Silva is set to face these latest allegations by the Bureau of Securities at a hearing on Sept. 28.
News 9 reached out to Silva but did not hear back.
